Battle Creek meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Battle Creek Civil Service certifies battalion chief list; boards weigh demolition, zoning, marijuana

The most consequential decision in the past two weeks came from the Civil Service Commission, which unanimously certified the 2026 Battalion Chief Eligibility List, including the two candidates on it, Jake Martin and Justin Coffey. The commission also approved the minutes from its June 26, 2026 meeting. No other decisions were recorded in the past two weeks; several boards have upcoming agendas with notable items.

Civil Service Commission

At its Aug. 10 meeting, the Civil Service Commission voted unanimously to approve the June 26, 2026 meeting minutes and to certify the 2026 Battalion Chief Eligibility List, including Jake Martin and Justin Coffey. No other substantive business was conducted.

Historic District Commission

The Historic District Commission's Aug. 10 agenda included a Notice to Proceed to demolish the former Bronson Hospital building at 165 N Washington Ave., to allow future housing development. The commission also was scheduled to vote on Certificates of Appropriateness for a new above-ground swimming pool and wood privacy fence at 87 Walter Ave. and for painting a new mural on the west-facing wall at 47 N Washington Ave. Minutes have not yet been published.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals met Aug. 11 to consider a dimensional variance request from Jeff Hovarter to build a 6-foot-tall privacy fence in the front yard at 12790 Perry Rd., which is not normally allowed. Staff recommended approval with a condition limiting the fence to about 27 feet beyond the house's front porch. The applicant cited a 3-foot grade drop and junk accumulation on neighboring property as hardship. The board could approve, deny, or postpone the request. Minutes have not yet been published.

Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board

The Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board met Aug. 12 to consider 11 properties for dangerous building designation, including houses at 17 Magner St., 211 E Van Buren (structure fire), 10 Glenwood Ave. (structure fire), 429-431 Hamblin Ave. (vacant/abandoned), and 19 Inn Rd. (structure fire). The agenda also included approval of prior minutes and public comments. No decisions have been published.

Other recent meetings

Several neighborhood planning councils (Urbandale, North Central, Lakeview West, Central) held routine meetings with no substantive action items. The Sustainable BC Committee met Aug. 17 to discuss upcoming events (Scrap Tire on Sept. 14, Krazy for the Kazoo on Oct. 3, Polystyrene Recycling on Oct. 24) and continue sustainability plan updates. The Community Oversight Board met Aug. 19 to discuss the timeline for selecting new members as terms expire and to review draft minutes from July 8 and July 27.

Coming up

• **Police & Fire Pension Board** (Aug. 24): Review of financial reports, annual review of GRS proposed services and fees, a dispute over an EDRO reversion, and a closed session to discuss a disability retirement application.
• **Planning Commission** (Aug. 26): will consider a special use permit for an adult-use marihuana retailer at 625 North Ave. (Parcel #0136-42-979-0), applicant Top Brands LLC of West Bloomfield, MI. The item was postponed from July 22. A public hearing notice was published July 2; no comments have been received.
• **Neighborhood Planning Council 11 – Lakeview East** (Aug. 26): routine updates from police, planning, and schools.
• **Neighborhood Planning Council 1 – Post-Franklin** (Sept. 3): routine reports from police, code compliance, and planning.

All upcoming meetings are open to the public. Check the city's official meeting calendar for times and locations.

Battle Creek boards to weigh major rezoning, hospital demolition this week

Battle Creek's Lakeview Downtown Development Authority (LDDA) was scheduled to vote on two ordinances that would create a new mixed-use zoning district and rezone 84 parcels along the Beckley Road Corridor, but minutes from that July 28 meeting have not yet been published, so no outcome is confirmed. The rezoning is the most consequential item on recent agendas, affecting a major commercial corridor. This week, the Historic District Commission will decide whether to allow demolition of the former Bronson Hospital for housing, and the Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a fence variance.

Recent meetings (July 27 – August 6)

Downtown Development Authority (July 27) – The board discussed preliminary year-end financials for FY 2026 and reviewed special projects for FY 2027. Agenda items included the Van Buren Lot Development at 56 East Michigan Avenue (an MEDC application), updates on the Gull Lake Distilling Company and Hart Hotel projects, and a FY 27 Special Project Review. Minutes are not yet published.

Lakeview Downtown Development Authority (July 28) – The board was scheduled to consider Ordinance 14-2006, creating a T-6 zoning district with form-based standards for the Lakeview District, and Ordinance 15-2006, rezoning 84 parcels from B-2 Regional Commercial to T-6 Lakeview Business District. The agenda also included election of Chair and Vice Chair, review of FY 2026 preliminary year-end financials showing $3,078,526 in revenue, and an update on mall development and the LDDA Development/TIF Plan. No vote results are available.

Neighborhood Planning Council 11 – Lakeview east (July 29) – Routine meeting with police and planning department reports, a Beautiful Battle Creek Award discussion, membership renewals, and a Battle Creek Public Schools update. No major actions listed.

Neighborhood Planning Council 1 – Post-Franklin (August 6) – Standard reports from police and planning, a Beautiful Battle Creek Award presentation, and membership updates. No decisions or public hearings.

Upcoming meetings (August 10 – August 17)

Historic District Commission (August 10) – The commission will consider a Notice to Proceed (H10-26) to demolish the former Bronson Hospital building at 165 N Washington Ave. to allow future housing development. It will also vote on Certificates of Appropriateness for a new above-ground swimming pool and wood privacy fence at 87 Walter Ave. (H11-26) and a mural on the west-facing wall at 47 N Washington Ave. (H12-26). A training workshop with Haley Schreiber of the State Historic Preservation Office is also scheduled.

Zoning Board of Appeals (August 11) – The board will consider a dimensional variance request (PVAR26-0004) from Jeff Hovarter to build a 6-foot privacy fence in the front yard at 12790 Perry Rd. Staff recommends approval with a condition limiting the fence to no more than 27 feet beyond the front porch. The applicant cites a 3-foot grade drop and junk accumulation on a neighboring property. The board may approve, deny, or postpone.

Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board (August 12) – The board will hear 11 cases for dangerous building designation, including properties at 17 Magner St., 211 E Van Buren (structure fire), 10 Glenwood Ave. (structure fire), 429-431 Hamblin Ave. (vacant/abandoned), and 19 Inn Rd. (structure fire).

Neighborhood Planning Councils (August 10–13) – NPC 2 (North Central), NPC 5 (Urbandale), NPC 10 (Lakeview west), and NPC 3 (Central) will hold routine meetings with police and staff reports, public comment, and no listed action items.

Sustainable BC Committee (August 17) – Working meeting to hear reports on upcoming events: Scrap Tire (September 14), Krazy for the Kazoo (October 3), and Polystyrene Recycling (October 24). Sustainability plan update work continues; no votes scheduled.

Coming up

• **Historic District Commission** – August 10, 5:30 p.m. (demolition and certificates)
• **Zoning Board of Appeals** – August 11 (fence variance)
• **Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board** – August 12 (11 cases)
• **Sustainable BC Committee** – August 17 (event planning)

All meetings are open to the public. Check the city's official meeting calendar for times and locations.

Battle Creek boards set to weigh cannabis permit, Beckley Road rezoning; dangerous buildings hearing slated for Aug. 12

Several Battle Creek boards met or are scheduled to meet in late July and early August, but minutes have not yet been published for the recent sessions, so outcomes are not confirmed. The most consequential items on the agendas include a proposed cannabis retail permit, a rezoning of 84 parcels along Beckley Road, and a hearing on 11 dangerous-building cases.

Planning Commission — cannabis retail permit hearing

On July 22, the Planning Commission was scheduled to hold a public hearing on Special Use Permit PSUP #26-0002, which would allow Top Brands LLC to operate an adult-use marihuana retail facility at 625 North Ave. The site is a 2,100-square-foot vacant commercial building in the T-3 Neighborhood Commercial District. Minutes were not yet published, so no decision is confirmed.

Lakeview DDA — T-6 zoning district and 84-parcel rezoning

The Lakeview Downtown Development Authority was set to consider two ordinances on July 28: Ordinance 14-2006, creating a T-6 zoning district with form-based standards for mixed-use walkable development in the Lakeview District, and Ordinance 15-2006, rezoning 84 parcels from B-2 Regional Commercial to T-6 Lakeview Business District along the Beckley Road Corridor. The board was also scheduled to elect a chair and vice chair, review Fiscal Year 2026 preliminary year-end financials showing $3,078,526 in revenue, and discuss mall development and the LDDA Development/TIF Plan. No minutes are available yet.

Downtown Development Authority — financials and project updates

On July 27, the DDA was scheduled to review FY 2026 preliminary year-end financials and FY 2027 special projects. Updates were listed for the Van Buren Lot Development at 56 East Michigan Avenue (MEDC application), Gull Lake Distilling Company, and the Hart Hotel. Outcomes are not confirmed pending minutes.

Neighborhood Planning Council 11 — Lakeview East

The July 29 meeting of the Minges Brook/Riverside Neighborhood Planning Council included routine items: police and planning department reports, a Beautiful Battle Creek Award discussion, membership renewals, and a Battle Creek Public Schools update. No major actions were listed.

Coming up

• **Aug. 6** — Neighborhood Planning Council 1 (Post-Franklin): routine reports and membership updates.
• **Aug. 10** — Neighborhood Planning Council 2 (North Central): routine reports and public comment.
• **Aug. 10** — Neighborhood Planning Council 5 (Urbandale): procedural meeting, no specific items listed.
• **Aug. 10** — Neighborhood Planning Council 10 (Lakeview West): routine meeting, no substantive items listed.
• **Aug. 12** — Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board: 11 properties under consideration, including 17 Magner St. (EN26-01343), 211 E Van Buren (EN26-02185, structure fire), 10 Glenwood Ave. (EN25-10061, structure fire), 429-431 Hamblin Ave. (EN17-04025, vacant/abandoned), and 19 Inn Rd. (EN24-04444, structure fire).
• **Aug. 13** — Neighborhood Planning Council 3 (Central): police, code compliance, and committee reports; public comment.

Note: All recent meetings listed above are marked "agenda only" in city records, meaning minutes have not yet been published. Any referenced votes, adoptions, or financial figures reflect what boards were scheduled to consider, not confirmed outcomes. Readers seeking official records should consult the linked agendas and any subsequent minutes.

Battle Creek boards weighed dangerous buildings, new fire station design; outcomes pending

Several Battle Creek boards and commissions met in the past two weeks to consider property condemnations, historic district petitions, and oversight matters, but minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings — meaning no confirmed outcomes, votes, or decisions are available from the official record. What follows is based on the published agendas.

Dangerous Buildings Board considered four properties

The Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board scheduled consideration of four properties for potential condemnation on July 8. The properties listed on the agenda were:

• **156 Grenville St.** — structure fire damage, issue EN26-02633
• **139 Wilds Ave.** — vacant house, issue EN23-00161
• **429-431 Hamblin Ave.** — vacant house/duplex, issue EN17-04025
• **136 Lafayette St.** — vacant house, issue EN25-09379

The agenda said the board would hear staff reports and public comments before making decisions. Because minutes are not yet published, the status of each property is not confirmed.

Historic District Commission reviewed Fire Station #2 petition

The Historic District Commission met July 13 to review three Certificate of Appropriateness petitions:

• **Petition H07-26:** Replace one missing original wood window and repair stucco at 36 E Michigan Ave. (Parcel #0258-00-038-0)
• **Petition H08-26:** Construct new Fire Station #2 at 165 N Washington Ave. (Parcel #3560-00-013-0)
• **Petition H08-26:** Replace clay tile roof, gutter system, and rebuild driveway/parking area at 258 NE Capital Ave. (Parcel #3870-00-012-0)

The commission was also scheduled to receive the 2nd Quarter Administrative Approval Report and approve minutes from its May 11, 2026 meeting. No vote tallies or decisions are available yet.

Community Oversight Board set for closed session

The Community Oversight Board met July 8 with an agenda that included setting a timeline for board selection, outlining a quarterly report, and approving draft minutes from June 10, 2026. A closed session was scheduled to discuss the content of a report to the city manager. Public comment was limited to three minutes per person. Outcomes are not yet available.

Neighborhood councils held routine meetings

Neighborhood Planning Council 2 (North Central) and Neighborhood Planning Council 5 (Urbandale) both held regular monthly meetings on July 13. Agendas for both included approval of previous minutes, police reports, committee reports, and public comments. No specific votes or legislation were listed on either agenda.

Coming up

• **July 22 — Planning Commission:** Public hearing on Special Use Permit PSUP #26-0002, which would allow Top Brands LLC to operate an adult-use marihuana retail facility at 625 North Ave. The request involves a 2,100-square-foot vacant commercial building in the T-3 Neighborhood Commercial District.
• **July 29 — Neighborhood Planning Council 11 (Lakeview East):** Regular monthly meeting of the Minges Brook/Riverside council, with police and planning department reports, a Beautiful Battle Creek Award discussion, membership renewals, and a Battle Creek Public Schools update.

Note: All recent meeting outcomes reported here are based on agendas only. Official minutes, when published, will provide confirmed decisions and vote counts. Readers can consult the city's official meeting records for final results.

Battle Creek boards weigh dangerous buildings, pension budget; Fire Station #2 petition before Historic District Commission

Battle Creek's advisory boards and commissions held a series of meetings over the past two weeks covering pension budget review, neighborhood updates, police oversight, and dangerous-building hearings. Minutes have not yet been published for any of the recent meetings, so outcomes are not yet confirmed. Today, the Historic District Commission is scheduled to consider a petition to construct a new Fire Station #2 at 165 N Washington Ave.

Police & Fire Pension Board — June 29

The Police & Fire Pension Board was scheduled to review the proposed FY2027 budget covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The agenda also included a DROP resolution for Nicholas Brizendine, a bank summary of assets and expense reports for May, and a quarterly bank statement summary for May. Board and administrator reports were listed from Chubinski, Martin, Rabbitt, Todd, Wolfersberger, and Vardell. Minutes are not yet published.

Neighborhood Planning Council 1 (Post-Franklin) — July 2

The Post-Franklin neighborhood council's agenda consisted of standing reports from the Police and Planning departments, a discussion of the Beautiful Battle Creek Award, and membership renewals. No specific votes or legislation were listed. Minutes are not yet published.

Community Oversight Board — July 8

The Community Oversight Board was scheduled to set a timeline for board selection, outline the content of its quarterly report, and approve draft minutes from June 10, 2026. A closed session was listed to discuss the content of a report to the city manager. Public comment was limited to three minutes per person. Minutes are not yet published.

Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board — July 8

The board was scheduled to consider four properties for potential condemnation:

• **156 Grenville St.** — structure fire damage, issue EN26-02633
• **139 Wilds Ave.** — vacant house, issue EN23-00161
• **429-431 Hamblin Ave.** — vacant house/duplex, issue EN17-04025
• **136 Lafayette St.** — vacant house, issue EN25-09379

Staff reports and public comments were to be heard before decisions. Minutes are not yet published, so condemnation outcomes are not confirmed.

Coming up

Historic District Commission — today, July 13. The commission will decide on three Certificate of Appropriateness petitions: Petition H07-26 to replace a missing original wood window and repair stucco at 36 E Michigan Ave (Parcel #0258-00-038-0); Petition H08-26 to construct a new Fire Station #2 at 165 N Washington Ave (Parcel #3560-00-013-0); and Petition H08-26 to replace a clay tile roof, gutter system, and rebuild a driveway/parking area at 258 NE Capital Ave (Parcel #3870-00-012-0). The commission will also receive the 2nd Quarter Administrative Approval Report and approve minutes from May 11, 2026.

Neighborhood Planning Council 2 (North Central) — today, July 13. Regular monthly meeting with committee reports from Police, Elected Officials, Neighborhood Services, and Battle Creek Public Schools. No specific votes listed.

Neighborhood Planning Council 5 (Urbandale) — today, July 13. Regular monthly meeting covering minutes approval, police report, committee reports, and public comment. No major decisions listed.

Note: All four recent meetings listed above were agenda-only with minutes not yet published. The descriptions reflect what was scheduled for discussion or action, not confirmed outcomes. Readers can consult the linked official agendas and minutes for authoritative records.

Battle Creek roundup: Neighborhood council approves Beautiful Battle Creek awards; rezoning hearing held for Lakeview District

The Neighborhood Planning Council 11 – Lakeview East approved four Beautiful Battle Creek Award nominations for July and August at its June 24 meeting, the only local body with official minutes published in the past two weeks. Several other boards and commissions met or are scheduled to meet on items ranging from zoning changes to pension budgets and dangerous buildings.

Beautiful Battle Creek Awards approved

Neighborhood Planning Council 11 – Lakeview East approved house and business nominations for the Beautiful Battle Creek Award covering July and August. The council approved the July house nomination at 154 Kirkpatrick Drive and the August house nomination at 16 W Acacia Blvd. For businesses, it approved Advia Credit Union at 320 E Columbia Ave for July and Huntington Bank at 290 E Columbia Ave for August. The council also approved its previous meeting minutes and an addition to the agenda. No other policy decisions were made.

Planning Commission holds hearing on Lakeview District rezoning

The Planning Commission held public hearings June 24 on two related zoning items for the Lakeview area. Zoning text amendment #A26-03 would create a new T-6 Lakeview District with form-based standards, and zoning map amendment #PRZ26-0002 would rezone properties along Beckley Road and Capital Avenue from B-2 to T-6. The proposed T-6 district would permit housing types such as multi-family and attached single-family that are not allowed under the current B-2 zoning, while prohibiting new car washes, auto dealerships, and marijuana retailers. Existing uses would be grandfathered. The amendment would also add medical/dental clinic and office uses with size limits. The changes are intended to implement the Lakeview District Subplan, encouraging mixed-use, walkable development. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so the outcome of the hearings is not yet available.

Sustainability committee reviews programs and grants

The Sustainable BC Committee met June 22 to discuss updates to the city's sustainability plan and set goals for 2026. The agenda included review of food scrap composting and tire/polystyrene recycling programs, reports on a Michigan Recycling Coalition grant award and a Mi Corps River cleanup grant award, discussion of 2025 sustainability achievements, and planning for a 'Krazy for the Kazoo' event scheduled for October 3. Minutes have not yet been published.

Pension board to review FY2027 budget

The Police & Fire Pension Board met June 29 to review the proposed FY2027 budget covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The board was also scheduled to consider a DROP resolution for Nicholas Brizendine and receive reports on bank assets, expenses, and quarterly statements for May. Board and administrator reports were listed from Chubinski, Martin, Rabbitt, Todd, Wolfersberger, and Vardell. Minutes have not yet been published.

Neighborhood Planning Council 1 meets

Neighborhood Planning Council 1 – Post-Franklin met July 2 for routine reports, including updates from the Police Department and the Planning Department/Neighborhood Services, a Beautiful Battle Creek Award discussion, and membership renewals. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **July 8 – Community Oversight Board:** Will consider a timeline for board selection, outline a quarterly report, and hold a closed session to discuss the content of a report to the city manager. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.
• **July 8 – Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board:** Will consider four properties for potential condemnation: 156 Grenville St. (fire damage), 139 Wilds Ave. (vacant house), 429-431 Hamblin Ave. (vacant house/duplex), and 136 Lafayette St. (vacant house).
• **July 13 – Neighborhood Planning Council 2 – North Central:** Regular monthly meeting with committee reports from Police, Elected Officials, Neighborhood Services, and Battle Creek Public Schools.
• **July 13 – Neighborhood Planning Council 5 – Urbandale:** Regular monthly meeting covering minutes approval, police report, committee reports, and public comments.

Battle Creek neighborhood council approves award nominations; rezoning hearing held

Neighborhood Planning Council 11 approved four nominations for the Beautiful Battle Creek Award in its June 24 meeting, the only policy action taken by a city body in the past two weeks with published minutes. The recognitions highlighted two residences and two businesses.

Elsewhere, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on a proposed T-6 zoning district for the Lakeview area, and the Sustainable BC Committee outlined environmental goals and events.

Neighborhood council acts on awards

Council 11 (Lakeview East) approved a July house nomination at 154 Kirkpatrick Drive and an August house nomination at 16 W Acacia Blvd. Business nominations went to Advia Credit Union, 320 E Columbia Ave for July, and Huntington Bank, 290 E Columbia Ave for August. The council also approved previous meeting minutes and an addition to the agenda.

Planning Commission hearing on Lakeview rezoning

On June 24, the Planning Commission heard public input on two amendments: a zoning text amendment (#A26-03) to create a T-6 Lakeview District with form-based standards, and a map amendment (#PRZ26-0002) to rezone properties along Beckley Road and Capital Avenue from B-2 to the new district. The T-6 designation would permit housing types such as multi-family and attached single-family not allowed under current commercial zoning, while prohibiting new car washes, auto dealerships, and marijuana retailers. Existing nonconforming uses would be grandfathered. The plan also adds medical/dental clinic and office uses with size limits. Minutes from the hearing are not yet published.

Sustainability committee sets 2026 goals

The Sustainable BC Committee on June 22 reviewed the city’s sustainability plan and set targets for 2026. Members discussed food scrap composting and tire/polystyrene recycling programs, received a Michigan Recycling Coalition grant award and a Mi Corps River cleanup grant award, and began planning for the “Krazy for the Kazoo” event on Oct. 3. The committee also reviewed 2025 sustainability achievements.

Police and fire pension board eyes FY2027 budget

The Police & Fire Pension Board met June 29 to review a proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, and to consider a DROP resolution for Nicholas Brizendine. The board also examined bank summaries of assets, expense reports for May, and quarterly bank statements.

Neighborhood Planning Council 1 reports

Neighborhood Planning Council 1 (Post-Franklin) convened July 2 for routine reports from the police and planning departments, a Beautiful Battle Creek Award discussion, and membership renewals.

Coming up

Dangerous Buildings Hearing Board – July 8. The board will consider staff reports and public comment on four properties: 156 Grenville St. (structure fire damage), 139 Wilds Ave. (vacant house), 429-431 Hamblin Ave. (vacant house/duplex), and 136 Lafayette St. (vacant house). Decisions could lead to condemnation.

Community Oversight Board – July 8. Members will set a board selection timeline, outline a quarterly report, and enter closed session to discuss content of a report to the city manager. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person.

Neighborhood Planning Council 2 (North Central) and 5 (Urbandale) – July 13. Regular monthly meetings with standard reports and public comment. No specific action items are listed.